It's funny because vets and ferriers always fight over who should care for abscesses... It does sound like the farrier (notice how I spell it two different ways - I have no idea how to spell it)... quicked her or did something to cause the abscess. I'd go barefoot for a while. If it continues to be an issue then you may have to have the vet dig it out, hate to do that though because then you have major issues.

I have a friend that had a horse that abscessed off and on for nearly a year. Finally my farrier took over for her horses and he ended up digging the entire abscess out, it had actually invaded the hoof walls and rotted a ton of it out. She's irritated with him because now the horse has what appears to be a deformed hoof that may never grow back to normal.

I wouldnt always blame the farrier but in your case it's something I would question. But I also wouldnt wait a large amount of time, a month of off and on lameness I might wait if I really felt confident I was properly treating it. But not any longer...

I definitely would be seeking another farrier. At least then, if it happens again, you know it wasn't him. And your farrier isn't going to hate you for asking for someone else one or two times. But I would definitely give it a thought. The two times I've ever had my mare trimmed (she has a natural mustang roll and keeps them in great shape herself (See my post for critique... you'll see) she has absessed. The first time we thought she had broken a bone she gimped so bad, and scheduled with the vet to have her put down when he noticed the coronet band was swollen. THAT was hell in a handbasket if you ask me. The second time wasn't so bad, but I've decided that I'm going to leave her barefoot until she absolutely NEEDS trimmed.

I know what you're going through! And I definitely sympathize with you! But check into another farrier at least once. It never hurts. You can go back to your regular farrier any time, and see if it happens again.

Things going from bad to worse, It is a bad case of Laminitis. Confirmed today at 4:oo by the vet. My heart sank. In fact it is one of his worst cases he has seen. Thanks to the farrier. I haven't even had this horse for 2 months and now this. I am scared, I am frightened and I am sooo mad. I trusted these people. Because I am a new horse owner and have not had a horse for 30 years I trusted this stupid farrier. And yes even my friend who I bought a lame horse from,
My vet stated that she was a puzzle because she does not have the classic symptoms. She is not lame and does not limp when you walk her. It is only seen at a trot. He stated she was not in acute phase, but in chronic because he thinks this was started back right before I bought her, when the farrier trimmed her too short and then took off her shoes. He went on to say, that she does not seem to be in a lot of pain. And oh yes, that lesion that is on her sole that is about 11/2"-2" long is not the abscess like the farrier thought, but her body trying to make and repair more Lamina. He stated the positive was her age and that she has tolerated it so well. Thank God I kept on giving her Bute and easing off on the grain. For now he wants her on strict stall rest, Bute Bid (twice daily), Antibiotics twice daily, of coarse no grain only hay, and foot soaks with Betadine twice daily.
I called my friend upset (you know the one that sold me the horse and who I share the barn with). She wanted to know if I wanted her to buy back the horse. She apologized immensely. I don't know what to do. I haven't had this horse for even 2 months, I have never ever ridden her and now do not know if I will ever get a chance to. But, big but I have cared for this horse on a daily basis since June 22nd. I love her and have fallen for her. She is magnificent and beautiful. She is my horse for the good and for the bad.
Has anyone gone through a bad case of Laminitis?

He did several xrays. He probably said the rotation, but I don't remember. All I remember was him stating this was not a good prognosis and showing me the xray and explaining what laminitis was. He has been her vet for over 10 years. I have been her owner for 6 weeks (and again inexperienced for 30 years). I read about laminitis last night when I finally got home and started reading on the degrees of rotation. I will call him today. He did state that it could have been because of the clipping shorter, then pulling off her shoes then reapplying her shoes. I do remeber that.
I am changing Farrier's. I am not trying to blame him, but I feel as a professional he should have known when to suggest for me to call the Vet earlier. I think it was to some extent neglectful on his part. He should have known that he was over his head. When I called him back on Tuesday evening after rebandaging her foot (which was a daily basis). He still at that point did not suggest to me to call my Vet. I put trust in his experience, especially since I did not have experience. No one ever suggested the Vet. I decided to call because I got scared. Even on Wednesday when the farrier when he saw my mare he was calling it an Abscess. I even told him I was afraid because of the tear to her sole she would be at risk for Laminitis. And he said "you are a nurse, what is an itis, just an inflamation. That is not going to happen". And she already had it and could not recognize it. An experienced Farrier should have known.
I don't want him near my horse.

I'll be honest...I'd blame the VET not the farrier. If that vet has been this horse's vet for over ten years he should have certainly seen the signs of chronic laminitis. People like to over glorify farriers...but honestly I don't go to a farrier for any kind of medical info...be it abscess, laminitis, etc. They have NO medical training whatsoever so I don't know why people treat them like they do. Of course I am an xray advocate...if my horse has any kind of limp I go get an xray and THEN show that xray to my farrier. Check the xray and see about rotation. From that point you can go on to shoe if needed or go barefoot. Alot of times foundered horses can grow more sole barefoot (with the use of hoof boots for cushion in the between stages). Couple of sites I've learned from when my horse had an acute laminitis bout.

awwww! I'm so sorry it turned out so horribly for you! Just learn from the experiance, I ALWAYS call my vet even for the little things. Not only is he our vet, he has become a family friend, and I trust him with EVERYTHING of our horses. I couldn't trust someone else. So next time you know to call the vet, and not the farrier. I trust my farrier alot too, because he has fixed all of our horse's horrid feet! Good luck and keep us updated!

Jumping a horse = Getting wings!Why live on the edge when you can jump off?- Greenwood Horse Trials Tee-Shirt

Along with the very sound advise from HRD, you are going to need to find a farrier that knows how to trim for the best results depending on the amount of rotation.

Our 30 something pony had a bout of laminitis a couple of years ago, she hadn't rotated too far, can't remember the degree, and with the appropriate and sometimes aggressive trims you can take the pressure off.

It was pretty hard to watch, she was was in quite a bit of pain, but within a couple of months she slowly made a recovery.

I also massaged her legs once a day to try and increase the blood flow, she loved it.

We also switched her to Life Line All Phase which is non grain feed with all the appropriate vitamins and minerals for not only all over health but hoof growth.

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